The Houston Texans‘ second-ever first-round pick, WR Andre Johnson, was a force to be reckoned with for secondaries around the league during his 14-year NFL career.
Spending 12 of those seasons with the Texans, let’s look back at why Johnson is now a member of the NFL Hall of Fame.
Andre Johnson’s Stats and Career Accomplishments
From the start of his journey to the NFL, Johnson was dropping jaws on all levels. Johnson was born in Miami in 1981 and attended Miami Senior High School, where he graduated in 1999. In his senior season, he caught 32 passes for 931 yards and was rated one of the top WR prospects in the country and a “Parade Magazine” All-American.
Johnson enrolled at the University of Miami as a receiver and continued to dominate. A member from 2000-2003, he was co-MVP of the 2002 Rose Bowl, where the Hurricanes finished their undefeated season and claimed their fifth national title.
Johnson finished his collegiate career with 92 receptions for 1,831 yards and 20 touchdowns. As a result, he was inducted into the Miami Sports Hall of Fame on April 10, 2014.
Johnson was drafted No. 3 overall by the Texans in the 2003 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he caught 66 passes for 976 yards and four touchdowns and was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.
Johnson had a breakout season in 2004, hooking up with QB David Carr to amass 79 receptions for 1,142 yards and six touchdowns. He would go over the 100-yard mark in four games, including a 170-yard outing against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5. Johnson’s breakout year resulted in his first of seven Pro Bowls.
Unfortunately, 2005 saw the injury bug start to hit the wide receiver as Johnson missed three games due to a calf strain. He would bounce back from a down season in 2006 with 107 receptions leading to 1,147 yards and five touchdowns.
In 2007, Johnson signed a six-year, $60 million contract extension, which included $15 million in guarantees. Despite playing in just nine games due to a PCL sprain, Johnson outdid his 2005 stats to finish with a career-high eight touchdowns.
He hit another level in 2008. Johnson received AFC Offensive Player of the Month honors for October after hauling in 41 receptions for receiving yards totals of 131, 178, 141, and 143, respectively. On Dec. 14, Johnson had his first 200-yard game against the Texans’ AFC South rival, the Tennessee Titans. He finished the season with 115 receptions for 1,575 yards and eight touchdowns — earning himself first-team All-Pro Honors.
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Johnson led the league in receiving yards in 2008 and 2009. He just missed his career-high in receiving yards in 2009, hauling in 101 receptions for 1,569 yards. Johnson did set a career-high in receiving touchdowns, though, with nine, helping lead the Texans to 9-7 and their first winning record in franchise history. He again earned first-team All-Pro honors.
Johnson signed another extension with the Texans, keeping him with Houston through the 2016 season. In Week 12, he became the first player in NFL history to have 60+ receptions in their first eight seasons. In the same game, he got into a legendary fight with Titans CB Cortland Finnegan. Johnson finished the season with 1,216 yards and eight touchdowns on 86 receptions.
In 2011, Johnson missed nine games due to a hamstring injury and posted his lowest career numbers in every category. Despite his absence, the Texans went 10-6, won the AFC South, and made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Johnson made his playoff debut, catching five passes for 90 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals, but the Texans fell to the Ravens the following week.
The 2012 season was another highlight one of the soon-to-be Hall of Fame WR’s career. Johnson had his best game in Week 11, catching 14 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown. He would finish the season with 1,598 yards (his third season with 1,500+ yards), was voted to his sixth Pro Bowl, and was named second-team All-Pro, his fourth All-Pro selection.
After some mediocre seasons, Johnson was told after the 2014 season that he wouldn’t start for Houston in 2015. After failing to find a trade partner, Houston released him.
Two days later, Johnson would sign a three-year, $21 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts. He stayed for one season before joining the Titans in 2016. Following that, he signed a one-day contract with Houston to retire as a Texan.
Johnson’s Long Road to the Hall of Fame
After being a finalist three years in a row, Johnson finally gets his illustrious career in the Hall.
“I think the biggest thing that has caught my attention the past couple days is just the number of phone calls I have gotten,” Johnson said during a Hall of Fame media event at the Canton Repository.
Such an emotional moment for Hall of Famer Andre Johnson, who received his @HaggarCo Gold Jacket from fellow Hall of Famer Michael Irvin.#PFHOF24 pic.twitter.com/LPvX5t1OGx
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) August 3, 2024
“I think it’s the most calls I have ever gotten in my life. It’s not just friends and family reaching out either. I didn’t realize the impact I had on everybody around me while I was playing and this has really opened my eyes. I didn’t realize the impact on the whole city of Houston and all the fans I had and it’s just been kind of crazy to realize how much I meant to them.”
Johnson’s road to the Hall of Fame is all about his raw talent, grit, and the lasting impression he made on the game. His career wasn’t just about the eye-popping plays or the records he shattered — it made him a Houston legend and earned him respect throughout the NFL.
But it wasn’t just the stats that defined him. Johnson’s real impact came from how he handled himself both on and off the field. A true pro, he led by example, whether it was in the locker room or when the spotlight was on. From mentoring up-and-coming receivers to playing through pain, Johnson was a true example of what it meant to be a professional in this league.
“Luckily, I had a guy like Andre Johnson to show me the ropes,” former Titans and current Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins said in 2020. “He’s had many quarterbacks in his career and he still had a successful career. Just having a guy like that to tell me to control what I can control, that’s really all you can do.”
Since hanging up his cleats, Johnson hasn’t strayed far from the game. Whether it’s mentoring the next generation of players or staying involved with the Houston community, he continues to leave his mark. His legacy? It’s built on excellence, unwavering dedication, and a quiet humility that speaks volumes.
When you look back at Andre Johnson’s career, it’s not just about the stats or the highlight reels. Sure, he was one of the most dominant receivers of his time, but more than that, he was one of the greatest to ever lace up in the NFL. His induction into the Hall of Fame isn’t just well-deserved—it’s a testament to a career defined by relentless effort and an impact that’s still felt across the league today.